Class-action Lawsuit Alleges Hawaiian Electric’s Negligence in Deadly Wildfire

Three law firms filed a class-action lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric on Saturday, alleging that the utility’s downed power lines significantly contributed to the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.

On Aug. 4 -- four days before the fire swept Maui and leveled the city of Lahaina -- the National Weather Service (NWS) warned Hawaii could experience ‘indirect impacts’ from Hurricane Dora, including ‘strong and gusty trade wins’ and ‘dry weather & high fire danger.’

The NWS issued a Red Flag Warning for portions of the Hawaiian Islands, including West Maui. On Aug. 8. Despite Hawaiian Electric officials’ knowledge of these warnings, they failed to shut off the downed lines, causing loss of life, serious injuries, destruction of hundreds of homes and businesses, displacement of thousands of people and damage to many of Hawaii’s historic and cultural sites, the complaint alleges.